MELISSA MATHENEY
El Cerrito,US
Summary
Passionate harm reductionist with a strong background in building programs from the ground up within teams. I have 10+ years of experience working within and alongside programs in the San Francisco Bay Area serving people who use drugs
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Capacity Building & Training Development Manager
National Harm Reduction Coalition
San Francisco
10.2024 - Current
- Coach, supervise, and support staff in the facilitation of trainings, submission and coordination of data, and coordination of naloxone distribution for the National Harm Reduction Coalition's Bay Area Programs
- Plan, implement, and manage training on overdose prevention, harm reduction, and its intersection with social justice issues
- Provide outreach and coordinate technical assistance and resources to San Francisco SSPs, service providers, community organizations, and individuals to build alignment with overdose prevention efforts and harm reduction best practice
Training & Development Manager
National Harm Reduction Coalition
San Francisco
11.2023 - 10.2024
- Planned and implemented harm reduction training series to enhance staff competencies for agencies within San Francisco's Department of Homelessness & Housing portfolio
- Assisted agencies in naloxone procurement to reduce overdose deaths in supportive housing & shelters
- Coached and supervised staff in content development and workshop facilitation
- Developed and maintained relationships with community partners and department heads
- Created evaluations to assess training effectiveness via feedback, surveys, and knowledge assesments
Housing & Shelter Capacity Building Coordinator
National Harm Reduction Coalition
San Francisco, US
07.2023 - 11.2023
- Worked collaboratively with project manager to design implementation plan for launch of new contract
- Researched HSH-funded agencies to identify sub-populations in order to determine the most effective programmatic structure
- Strategized focus group questions to garner feedback from leadership & frontline workwrs regarding identified needs in relation to harm reduction & overdose prevention
- Reviewed agency training content to begin tailoring workshops to be housing-specific
Consultant, SROE Project
National Harm Reduction Coalition
San Francisco, US
05.2022 - 06.2023
- Collaborated with staff, service agencies, & SRO residents to implement resident-led overdose prevention initiatives in buildings experiencing highest levels of overdoses
- Supervised, trained, & supported Peer Overdose Specialist in conducting overdose prevention training circuit with SRO residents
- Assisted in policy & training development, troubleshooting, & implementation with service agency staff
Outreach Worker
Homeless Youth Alliance
San Francisco, US
08.2021 - 02.2022
- Utilized harm reduction framework & trauma-informed care within case management services
- Provided linkages at weekly needle exchange & drop-in service
Housing Case Manager
Homeless Youth Alliance
San Francisco, US
01.2019 - 08.2021
- Assisted in creating & implementing policies for new housing program through HSH contract
- Conducted coordinated entry housing assessments & uploaded data into HSH's ONE System
- Formed relationships with partner agencies to build a network of support & resources for program participants
Lead Case Manager
Covenant House
Oakland, US
03.2018 - 08.2018
- Led agency-wide Narcan trainings for staff & program participants
- Conducted agency-wide coordinated entry housing assessments in Alameda County
- Collaborated with local agencies to build Covenant House's outreach program
Outreach Worker
Covenant House
Oakland, US
02.2017 - 02.2018
- Worked with team to create policies & devise framework for new outreach & wellness center contract
- Formed street outreach locations by networking with partner agencies in the East Bay & networking to coordinate effectively coordinate services
Founder/Volunteer
Help Feed the Community in Your Own Backyard
Oakland, CALIFORNIA
04.2014 - 08.2016
- Recruited & led two volunteers to assist in mutual aid effort of weekly supply delivery to Oakland encampment
- Prepared & delivered 25 home-cooked meals per week along with condoms & safer use supplies
- Fundraised for supplies & participant objectives
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
UMass Global
Aliso Viejo, CA08.2025
Associate Degree - Sociology
Laney College
Oakland, CA01.2023
Skills
- Training Material Development & Facilitation
- Program Innovation
- Policy & Procedure Creation & Implementation
- Conflict Management
- Data Tracking/Reporting
Timeline
Capacity Building & Training Development Manager
National Harm Reduction Coalition
10.2024 - Current
Training & Development Manager
National Harm Reduction Coalition
11.2023 - 10.2024
Housing & Shelter Capacity Building Coordinator
National Harm Reduction Coalition
07.2023 - 11.2023
Consultant, SROE Project
National Harm Reduction Coalition
05.2022 - 06.2023
Outreach Worker
Homeless Youth Alliance
08.2021 - 02.2022
Housing Case Manager
Homeless Youth Alliance
01.2019 - 08.2021
Lead Case Manager
Covenant House
03.2018 - 08.2018
Outreach Worker
Covenant House
02.2017 - 02.2018
Founder/Volunteer
Help Feed the Community in Your Own Backyard
04.2014 - 08.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
UMass Global
Associate Degree - Sociology
Laney College